In a swift response to Mali’s deepening security crisis, a high-level government delegation, led by the Minister of State for Reconciliation, Peace and National Cohesion, General Ismaël Wagué, arrived in Bandiagara, central Mali, on May 11, 2026. The urgent mission followed a brutal terrorist assault that left multiple villages in the Bankass district, including Kori-Kori and Gomossogou, in ruins.
The delegation paid official condolences to affected communities during a solemn ceremony at the regional governor’s office. As part of the government’s relief effort, they delivered essential supplies—25 tonnes of millet, 25 tonnes of rice, and a financial aid package totaling 20 million CFA francs—to assist survivors and families of the victims.
Preliminary investigations point to the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) as the perpetrator behind the deadly raid. However, authorities have yet to release an official death toll. Meanwhile, local militia leaders from Dana Ambassagou have reported over 60 fatalities and numerous injuries, alongside severe material damage.
Youssouf Toloba, commander of the Dana Ambassagou militia, accused the attackers of targeting the villages after they refused to sign peace agreements with armed terrorist factions. Noël Tessougué, deputy leader of the dozos (traditional hunters), vowed that the militia would no longer tolerate villages collaborating with JNIM fighters.
During his address, Minister Wagué reaffirmed the transitional government’s unwavering commitment to halting violence against civilians across Mali. He closed his remarks by urging all Malians to unite, prioritize solidarity, and strengthen national cohesion to overcome the prevailing security challenges.
